Superstar headed to Bristol Riverside Theatre Just In Time for Easter

Bristol Riverside Theatre continues its 30th Anniversary season with the hit rock musical Jesus Christ Superstar, running March 21 through April 16. With music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, Jesus Christ Superstar is directed by Keith Baker, music directed by Douglass Lutz, with choreography by Stephen Casey and features a diverse, talented cast.

Jesus Christ Superstar, which changed the face of musical theater when it debuted on Broadway in 1971, is a remarkable retelling of the last seven days in the life of Jesus of Nazareth as seen through the eyes of his betrayer, Judas Iscariot. This powerful musical, filled with emotional intensity and explosive theatricality, features chart-topping songs such as “Everything’s Alright,” “I Don’t Know How to Love Him,” “Gethsemane,” and the high-octane title song.

Special events for the run include a Friday Festival on Friday, March 24 at 7 p.m. a Wine Down Wednesday on March 29 at 6:30 p.m. a Thirsty Thursday on April 6, beginning at 6:30 p.m. and a discussion on Theatre Theology on April 9 after the performance.

“We are very excited to be bringing this groundbreaking rock opera that reinvented musical theater for the modern age!” — Keith Baker, Director of Jesus Christ Superstar

Keith Baker (Director, featured left), celebrates 25 years as the BRT Artistic Director. He has directed more than 40 productions for BRT including Working this season, Man of La Mancha and Rumors last season, Lost in Yonkers, Ragtime, Gypsy, Chicago, and many others.As an actor he will appear in this season’s production of Witness for the Prosecution, and starred last season in The Language Archive and Mountain: The Journey of Justice Douglas. Baker has been nominated 11 times for the prestigious Carbonell Awards, for which he was twice the recipient for Best Actor. Prior to coming to BRT, Baker was Artistic Director for the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival and the Florida Repertory Theatre.

Douglass Lutz (Music Director) recently music directed BRT’s production of Working. He has conducting over 200 musicals in the United States and internationally including West Side Story at the Kennedy Center and the premieres of West Side Story in Peru, Brazil, Spain and Belgium. He also conducted the American premiere of Love Story at The Walnut Street Theatre, and is the recipient of Barrymore nominations for Les Miserables, The King & I, Miss Saigon, Peter Pen, and Carousel.

Stephen Casey (Choreographer) is a three time Barrymore nominee, twice for his choreography of BRT’s Ragtime and Little Shop of Horrors, and for his direction of The Musical of Musicals at Montgomery Theatre. Other BRT credits include last season’s Man of la Mancha, Pride and Prejudice, What a Glorious Feeling, and Rent.

Patrick H. Dunn prepares for the title role of Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar // Photo Credit: Ivoryton Playhouse

Patrick H. Dunn (Jesus, featured right) starred at BRT as Frederic in The Pirates of Penzance. He appeared in New York in Candide at New York City Opera, A Christmas Carol at Madison Square Garden and Where the Lilies Bloom. He has also been seen in The Music Man at The Bushnell Center and in Genesius: The Musicale and a New Writers Cabaret, both at Goodspeed Musicals.

Adam Kemmerer (Judas) appeared as Sir Galahad in SPAMalot at Arkansas Rep Theatre as well as in productions at St. Luke’s Theatre, Manhattan Repertory Theatre, The McCarter Theatre, and Playwrights Horizons. He has performed at Joe’s Pub with Molly Pope and on television in Forensic Files.

Ciji Prosser (Mary Magdelene) returns to BRT where she starred as Sarah in the Barrymore-nominated production of Ragtime and in several of BRT’s concerts. She has appeared in Die Zauberflote at Opera Roanoke, and in productions at PRiMA Theatre Company, Longhorne Theatre Company, and The Eagle Theatre.

Luner Lowdown:“Timely, traditional, and terrific — three adjectives that are sure to describe BRT’s production of Jesus Christ Superstar. With the production arriving just before Easter, we are reminded to reflect on our existence and remember how quickly life can be taken from us through a story as timeless as one can be.”

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